Traveling doesn’t have to be a budget buster! As with most activities in life, there are ways to do it smarter and cheaper.

If you have scheduling flexibility, check different date options for flights and hotels. Avoiding peak seasons, even by one week, can save you a lot. Many online flight reservation sites let you search by rate rather than date.

Sure, direct flights are always nicer but making a connection can mean a big difference in fares. Is it worth $150 per ticket to spend some quality time at O’Hare Airport? That’s your call!

Hotel reservation websites can get you a great deal—again, if you have some flexibility. For example, you may not know which hotel you’ll be staying at until 1-2 days before…but travel is an adventure, right?

Don’t automatically book a rental car. Does your hotel offer an airport shuttle? Is there a subway or bus system that can get you to the most of the places you want to go? Using these options and then throwing in a taxi ride or two as needed is much cheaper overall than renting a car, buying gas, paying for parking/valet, and so on.

There are pros and cons to taking tours. A good tour with a knowledgeable guide may get you to places you wouldn’t have heard of or couldn’t have gotten into. But tours can be expensive and inflexible. Instead, pick out your own “must-sees” and enjoy them at your own pace. Do some online research and get advice from your concierge or someone at the local Visitor Center. Be sure to pick up maps and even walking tour brochures.

Summer is a great time to explore new places. You’d be surprised how inexpensively you can travel if you plan ahead and take advantage of savings opportunities!

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